Liquid film seal



March 25, 1941. c. W; RICE EFAL LIQUID FILE SEAL Filed June 25, 1938 a J32 E5 3 Sheets-Sheet l Invehtors: Chester W. Ric De Witt S Thei Attorney- Mamh 19410 W. RICE LTAL LIQUIE FILM fiEAL Inventor's: Chester W. Rice, Dewitt 5. Shell, by 5.

Their" Attorney Mmdfil 25 11.9431. 6, w Raga HAL mgum FILM smL Filed Jam 25, 195% 5 $heets-Sheet 3 Inventors C heater" W. Rice, De Witt S. Snel I, by W 63 M4 Their Attorney Patented Mar. 25:, 1941 PATENT OFFICE noun) mar sear.

Chester w. Rice and in ma s. Snell, Schenectady, N. Y., assignora to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application June 25, 1938, Serial No. 215,793

16 Claims. (Cl. 308-363) Our invention relates to liquid film seals for preventing the escape of gas between the shaft and the enclosing casing of gas filled machines,

such as hydrogen cooled dynamo-electric :ma- 7 s chines.

In dynamo-electric machines of this type, an enclosing casing is provided which is filled with a ventilating gas which is circulated therein and through the machine to ventilate the various windings and'parts of the machine. Openings are arranged in the ends of the enclosing casing for the shaft of the machine and bearings are arranged adjacent the ends of the enclosing casing to support the shaft and a rotatable member of the machine. In order to prevent the loss of ventilating gas from the enclosing casing by leakage into the surrounding atmosphere and to prevent contamination of the ventilating gas in the enclosing casing by leakage of air thereinto, a seal is provided between the shaft and the enclosing casing adjacent each of the openings in the enclosing casing.

An object of our invention is to provide an improved seal of the liquid film type for gas filled dynamo-electric machines which is of simple construction and effective in operation.

Another object 0! our invention is to provide an improved arrangement for liberating gas entrained in the sealing liquid drained from a seal oi the liquid film type and for returning the liberated gas to the enclosing casing of a gas filled machine provided with the liquid film seal.

Further objects and advantages of our invention will become apparent from the iollowlng description, and the features of novelty which characterize our invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims appended to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of our invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. l is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, oi a gas filled dynamo-electric machine embodying our invention and diagrammatically illustrating a lubricant and sealing fluid system for a bearing and a liquid film seal for the machine; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the bearings and the liquid film seals shown in Fig. i; Fig. 3 is an end view of the bearing shown in Fig. 2 and fragmentary sections of the supportingring and Fig. 4 is a plan view of the lower portion of the bearing taken along line 2-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1, we have shown a dynamo-electrlcmachine including a 55 stationary member l0 and a rotatable member fi l til

II, the machine being provided with an enclosing casing 12 filled with a ventilating gas other than air, such as hydrogen. The rotatable member II is mounted upon a shaft l3, which extends through the end walls M of the enclosing casing l2. The shaft I3 is supported in bearings I! supported by bearing housings it carried by theend walls ll of the enclosing casing l2. In order to eil'ectively ventilate and cool the dynamo-electrlc machine, the ventilating ga within the enclosing casing i2 is circulated therein and through the various windings and parts of the machine and gas coolers. This gas is drawn from the end of the enclosing casing i2 through an opening ll provided in the end of a fan casing It surrounding a fan it] carried by the rotatable member H and is discharged into the air gap between the stationary member it and the rotatable member ll of the dynamo-electric machine and into-other axial ventilating passages. The ventilating gas then flows outwardly through a plurality of radially disposed ducts 2o arranged between the laminatlons of the stationary memher it into a plurality of passages 25 extending between the ends of the enclosing casing i2 and arranged between the enclosing casing and the stationary member it or the dynamo-electric machine.

23 connected between. the enclosing casing 52 and a high pressure ventilating gas container E l.

By adjusting the pressure regulating valve 22 any desired pressure over a predetermined range of pressures may be maintained in the enclosing casing it. Also, a valve 25 is provided in the conduit 23 for isolating the enclosing casing it from the pressure regulating'valve 22 and a valve 23 is provided in the conduit 23 for isolating the high pressure ventilating gas container 2t from the pressure regulating valve 22.

As shown in detail in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, each of the bearing housings i8 is provided with a split supporting ring 2i having a universal joint bearing support including a concave surface 28 which engages a convex surface it provided on the bearing element it for supporting the bearing element to provide for alignment thereof with respect to the -shalt 83. Under certain condi tions it is desirable that the bearing should be electrically insulated i'rom the machine end shield. In order thus to insulate and support the bearing I5, the bearing housing It is formed with an inwardly extending annular flange 33 which engages a split annular channel insulating 5 ring 3| arranged in a circumferentially extending groove 32 formed around the outer surface of the split supporting ring 21. A dowel pin 33 is threadedly secured to the supporting ring 21 and extends into a hole M in the upper outer face of the bearing I5 to secure it in position with respect to the stationary bearing housing IS. The bearing element I5 is also provided\ with a cylindrical bearing face 35 in which an end of the shaft I3 is journaied. An axially extending recess 36 is provided on one side of the bearing face 35 adjacent the shaft I3 for supplying lubricant under pressure between the be ing face 35 and the shaft I3 and a similar ially extending recess 31 is formed in the bearing face on the other side to drain 01f excess lubricant. The recess 36 communicates with a passage 38 formed in the bearing element It and a lubricant supply pipe 39 secured in the bearing housing I3. The drain recess 31 communicates with a drain passage d extending through the bearing element I and communicates with an enlarged annular chamber 4! formed in the bearing housing I6 to provide a bearing lubricant sump 42 adjacent the outer end of the shaft I3. An annular groove 63 also is formed in the bearing face 35 adjacent the outer end of the shaft I3 so that lubricant which flows outwardly along the shaft will be drained therein. A plurality of openings it extends outwardly from the groove 33 to an annular drainage chamber 35 formed on the outer edge of the bearing, and lubricant collected in the groove 63 drains through these openings M to the chamber 45 and out to the lubricant sump 62 through openlugs 65 which extend between the chamber 445 and the sump.

A shaft sealing member is provided which includes an annular sealing ring 61 rigidly connected to the inner end of the bearing element I5 adjacent the interior of the enclosing casing I2 and cooperates with the bearing element I5 to provide an annular chamber 68 surrounding the shaft I3 and containing sealing liquid under I pressure for providing a seal of the liquid film type about the shaft I3 and for preventing the escape of gas from the enclosing casing I2. The sealing liquid, which comprises lubricant of the character of that supplied to the bearing face, is supplied to the chamber 68 under pressure 55 through passages 39 and 53 formed in the bearing element I5 which communicates with a sealing fluid supply pipe 5I secured in the bearing housing IE. The inner portion of the face of the annular sealing ring 37 adjacent the inner end 86 of the bearing element I5 is spaced axially a short distance therefrom to provide a narrow annular passage 52 between the chamber 53 and the surface of the shaftI3. An annular recess 53 is provided in the annular sealing ring 37 33 and is interposed between the narrow annular passage 52 and the interior of the enclosing casing I2, being separated from the narrow annular passage 52 by a dividing wall 53. Another sealing surface 55 is provided between the outer face 73 of the annular sealing ring 37 and the annular recess 53 therein. c

The sealing arrangement also includes an annular recess 53 for collecting sealing liquid which flows toward the bearing. This recess is formed 75 in the bearing face 35 of the bearing element ing I2 between these surfaces.

aasaan I5 adjacent the narrow annular passage 52 and is separated from the narrowannular passage 52 by a dividing wall 51. The sealing ring and the wall 51 are both arranged to carry a portion of the bearing load and to be aligned with the bearing on the sphericalsupporting surface 28.

In order to drain excess sealing. fluid from the seal, a sealing fluid sump 58 is formed in the bearing housing It adjacent the interior of the casing I2, and the annular recess. 53 in the sealing ring 41 communicates with the-sealing liquid sump 58 through several passages 59 formed in the lower portion of the annular sealing ring 41. The annular recess 56- communi cates with the lubricant sump' 42 through a number of drain passages 60, which. communioate with an arcuate slot GI and drain passage 32 formed in the bearing element l5.

An annular recess 33 isformed in the convex bearing surface 29 of the bearing element I5 adjacent the concave bearing seat 26 of the bearing supporting ring 21, and contains sealing liquid under pressure for providing a seal between the surfaces 28 and 29 to prevent the escape of ventilating gas from the enclosing cas- Sealing fluid is supplied to the sealing groove 63 through grooves 64 formed in the upper surface of the lower half of the split bearing I5, from the annular chamber 48. A sealing ring 65 of soft ,metal, such as soft copper, also is arranged on each side of the liquid sealing groove 63 to insure against ex cessive sealing liquid leakage between these bearing surfaces. w

Another liquid seal is provided between the flange 39 on the bearing housing I 3 and the bearing supporting ring Z'Iabout the insulating element 3i by a sealing groove 66 formed on the outer surface of the supporting ring and'a sealing groove SI-formed on the inner surface of the flange 3B. Sealing fluid is supplied to the sealing groove 66 in the supporting ring from the sealing groove 63 through supply passages 68 formed in the supporting ring. Openings 69 'are formed through the insulating element 3| which provide communications between the sealing grooves 66 and El and provide for the supply of sealing fluid to the sealing groove 61 from the sealing groove 66.

During operation of the dynamo-electric machine lubricant is supplied under pressure between the bearing face 35 and the shaft I3 from the recess 36, the lubricant being supplied to the recess 36 from the lubricant supply conduit 39 through thecommunicating passage 38. The greater part of the lubricant flows around between the shaft I3 and the bearing face 35, and some also flows toward the outer end of the shaft I3 and is drained into groove 63 to the lubricant sump 62. Some of the lubricant also flows between the bearing face 35 and the shaft I3 toward the interior of the enclosing casing I2 and into the annular recess 56 from which it is drained into the lubricant sump t2.

Sealing liquid is supplied under pressure to.

the annular chamber 68 and flows through the narrow annular passage 52 and in both directions along the shaft I3 toward the outer end thereoi into the annular recessSE to the lubricant sump 32 and toward the interior of the enclosing casing I2 into the annular recess 53 to the sealing liquid sump 58. The pressure of the seal ing liquid suppliedto the annular chamber 48 is regulated and maintained at a pressure somewhat in excess of the pressure of the ventilating gas contained in the enclosing casing I2 so that there can be no seepage of the ventilating gas along the shaft I3 and between the shaft and the dividing wall 54.

Due to the fact that the lubricant which accumulates in the lubricant sump 42 has not come into .contact with the ventilating gas contained in the enclosing casing I2 and become mixed therewith, this lubricant may be returned directly to the source of lubricant supply for recirculation to the bearing face 35 without the loss of ventilating gas from the enclosing casing I2. However, the sealing liquid which drains into the sealing liquid sump 58 must be treated to liberate the'ventilating gas mixed therewith in order to prevent the ventilating gas entrained therein from becoming mixed with the lubricant supply when it is recirculated and flows partly to the lubricant sump.

-In order to keep out sealing liquid and lubricant vapors from the machine casing I2, an annular ring I is carried by the inner end of the bearing housing I6 and is provided with two spaced-apart annular flanges II and l2-iormed on the inner edges thereof as labyrinth seals I3 and I4 surrounding the shaft I3. The spaced- 13. The spaced-apart annular flanges i9 and 8E define an annular chamber t3 therebetween communicating with the lubricant sump 52 through a drain passage 8d formed through the flange it.

During operation of the dynamo-electric machine, lubricant which drains into the lubricant sump 52 is drained therefrom through a lubricant drain conduit 96 connected to a lubricant reservoir ti. Lubricant is drawn from the lower portion of the reservoir ill by a supply pump 38 through a conduit 89 and discharged into lubri= cant cooler through a conduit 9i and into a main lubricant supply conduit 92 connected to the lubricant supply conduit 35!. A ventilating blower 98 is connected by a conduit 951 to the upper portion of the reservoir and exhausts to the atmosphere through a conduit 95 in order to remove lubricant vapors or hydrogen from above the surface of the lubricant in the tank.

Sealing liquid which drains into the sealing liquid sump is drained therefrom through a sealing liquid drain conduit 85 into a main sealing liquid drain conduit 95 which is connected to a by-pass tank 92 This ay-pass tank ill is con-= nected by a conduit 98 to a ventilating gas de= training or liberating tank edwherein the ventilating gas entrained in the sealing liquid drained from the sealing liquid sump 58 is liberated therefrom. In order to facilitate the detraining oi the ventilating gas from the sealing fluid, a tray tilt is supported adjacent the upper end of the detraining tank lid above the normal liquid level therein and spaced a small distance inwardly from the surrounding sides of the tank. The pipe or conduit 93 extends into the tank and over the tray itil, so that the sealing fluid flows over the tray and spreads out in a very thin fllni over the tray, thereby exposing a very large surface which aids in liberating theventilating gas. The arrangement of the tray allows the sealing fluid to pass slowly from the upper side thereof through the small gap between the edges of the tray and the sides of the tank into the lower part of the tank. The liberated ventilating gas in the detraining tank is returned through the conduit ll to the by-pass tank 91 and the gas in the bypass tank 81 returns to the enclosing casing I2 through the main sealing liquid drain conduit 96 and the sealing liquid drain conduit 8!. The return of the liberated ventilating gas through the conduits 90 and I is made possible by making these conduits 0! such diameter that they are only partly filled with sealing liquid flowing from the sealing liquid sump I58 toward the by-pass tank 91. Also a conduit IOI is provided which communicates between the upper portion of the by-pass tank 91 and the upper portion of the sealing liquid sump 58 in order to insure that all of the liberated ventilating gas is conducted back into the enclosing casing I2.

In order to prevent the ventilating gas liberating tank 98 from being completely filled with sealing liquid flowing from the by-pass tank 9'! through the conduit 98, an overflow conduit IE2 is provided adjacent the upper portion of the tank 99. The overflow conduit I02 is connected by a conduit I03 to an air liberating tank ltd. The lower portion of the air liberating tank ltd is connected by a conduit 35 to the lower portion of the lubricant reservoir bl, and a valve N36 is arranged in the conduit to close communication between the tank I04 and the reservoir bl if desired. The overflow conduit {02 is controlled by a float operated valve iil'l which is operated to provide communication between the ventilating gas liberating tank 98 and the air liberating tank EM when the level of the sealing liquid in the tank Bil rises above a predetermined level and is operated to cut ofi communication between the tank 99 and the tank ltd when the level oi the sealing liquid in the tank 99 falls below a predetermined level.

Also, an auxiliary overflow conduit iilil is provided in the ventilating gas liberating tank 99 in order to prevent this tank from being completely filled with sealing liquid in the event of failure of the float operated valve it?! which controls the overflow conduit M2. The conduit 5533 enters the tank iild and terminates in the tank within an upwardly extending conduit 9 ill, which extends below the open end of the conduit i523. The upper end of the conduit MB is secured to the top wall of the tank ltd and the lower end thereof is open to the liquid contained in this tank. This arrangement allows the excess sealing liquid flowing through the overflow conduit lei from the ventilating gas liberating tank @9 to be received by the air liberating tank iii l but acts to prevent any ventilating gas passing through the auxiliary overflow conduit Hill from being m xed with the air space contained in the tank iild, as any ventilating gas which leaves the lower end of the downwardly turned portion of the conduit 5B3 rises within the upwardly extending conduit lit and is conducted to the at- The column pressure operation of the dynamo-electric machine. Any pressure below this hydrostatic head is herein referred to as low pressure operation, and operation at pressures above this value is referred to as high pressure operation. In machines intended only for low pressure operation, the float valve IN is omitted. Thus, there is no appreciable escape of ventilating gas from the tank 99 through the auxiliag overflow conduit I08 and the connected conduit I03 into the tank I04. When the dynamo-electric machine is operated under high pressure, the connection between the auxiliary overflow conduit I08 and the conduit, I03 is shut off by a valve H2 in order to prevent the escape of ventilating gas from the ventilating gas liberating tank 89 through the auxiliary overflow conduit I 08 and the connected conduit I03. A conduit 3 connects the upper portion of the air liberating tank I04 to the upper portion of the lubricant reservoir 81, so that any air or gas in the upper portion of the tank I04 passes to the upper portion of the reservoir 81 and is exhausted to the atmosphere by the vapor extractor 93. A normally open ventilating valve I09 is connected to the upper portion of the tank I04 to provide for the ventilation of this tank.

A substantially constant level of sealing liquid is maintained in the ventilating gas liberating tank 99 by a float operated valve H4 disposed in the lower portion thereoi and connected by conduit H5 to the upper portion of a sealing liquid reservoir H6. The valve H4 is operated to supply sealing liquidto the reservoir it from the tank 99 when the level of the sealing liquid in the tank 99 rises above a predetermined level and is operated to interrupt the supply of sealing liquid to the reservoir I I6 from the tank 99 when the level of the sealing liquid in the tank 99 falls below a predetermined level. This sealing liquid supplied to the reservoir H8 from the ventilating gas liberating tank 99 is delivered thereto through a spray nozzle 8 in the form of a spray or in a finely divided state in order to promote the liberation of the entrained ventilating gas therein.

The upper portion of the sealing liquid reservoir H6 is connected by conduit M9 to a vacuum pump I20 arranged to produce a reduced pressure of about inch mercury absolute within the reservoir H6 in order to liberate any ventilating gas or air entrained in the sealing liquid therein. The vacuum pump i220 discharges through a conduit IZI into a liquid separating tank I22 communicating through a conduit I 23 with the atmosphere. A valve I26 is arranged in the conduit II9 between the storage reservoir I I6 and the vacuum pump I20 so that communication therebetween can be readily controlled.

An arrangement is provided for isolating the ventilating gas liberating tank 99 from the system in order to permit inspection and adjustment of the float operated valves It? and H6 therein, and includes a valve I25 arranged in the conduit 98 connected between the byi-pass tank 9? and the tank 99, a valve IZWarranged in the overflow conduit I02, a third valve I21 arranged in the conduit IIE connected between the tank 99 and the sealing liquid reservoir lit, and the valve II2 arranged in the auxiliary overflow conduit I03. During normal operation of the dynamo-electric machine, a valve I28 in 'a conduit I29 connecting the by-pass tank to, the overflow conduit is closed to prevent, the sealing liquid from flowing from the by-pass tank 9? into the conduit I08 connected to the tank I04.

When it is desired to isolate the tank 99 from the system the valves I I2}; I25, I28; I21 are closed and the valve I28 is opened. The sealing liquid in the by-pass tank 91 then flows through the conduit I29 and I03 into the tank I04 from which it is drawnthrough a conduit I30into the reservoir II6 to be supplied to the liquid fllm seals oi the dynamo-electric machine. During high pressure operation the valve I28 must besthrot tied to maintain a constant level of liquid in the by-pass tank 91, as indicated by a glass I30 to the upper portion of the sealing liquid reservoir I I8 and a valve IBI is arranged in the conduit I30 to close communication therebetween if desired. The supply of make-up lubricant from the tank I04 to the reservoirlie through'the conduit I30 is controlled by float operated valve I32, and the lubricant is supplied to the upper portion of the reservoir I It through a spray nozzle I33 in the form of a spray or in a finely divided state in order to promote the liberation of any entrained air therein. This valve is arranged to be openedand to supply lubricant to the reservoir IIG from the tank lill when the level of the sealing liquid in the reservoir I I6 falls below a predetermined level and to be closed to stop the supply of lubricant to the reservoir IIG when the leveloi the sealing liquid thereinrises above a predetermined level. It is desirable that the air in the make-up lubricant should be partially removed before this lubricant is supplied to the reservoir IIB. In order to aid in more readily removing any entrained air in the lubricant in the tank I04. a slotted baiile plate Iida. extends upwardly in the tank I05 between the inlet I 05 to the tank I04 from the lubricant reservoir 37 and the connection of the make-up conduit I36. In passing up and through this slotted baiile some of the larger bubbles of air in the lubricant are liberated, and further liberation of air occurs in the tank as the larger bubbles rise to the surface of the lubricant. This air then is exhausted to the atmosphere through the conduits IE3 and 95. The make-up lubricant flows from the tank Iiil into the reservoir IIS through the conduit I due to the difference in pressures between the lubricant in tank IMi and the sealing liquid in the reservoir I I 8, as the pressure in the tank I05 is higher than the pressure in the reservoir H6. The supply of sealing liquid into the reservoir IIS through the conduit 5 It also may be shut ofi by a normally open float operated valve-i I? if the level of the sealing liquid rises in the reservoir above a predetermined level, as may happen if the withdrawal of sealing liquid from the reservoir is stopped. e V.

The sealing liquid is drawn from ultimate;-

tion of the sealing liquid reservoir H6 through a conduit I36 by a sealing liquid supply pump I85, which discharges into a conduit I36. This pump is of the constant displacement type, so that from the conduit I38 through a conduit I38 into a cooler I89 from which it is discharged into a i cheep-74 main sealing liquid supply conduit I40. A pair of valves Ill and I42 is provided for isolating the cooler I89 from the conduits I38 and I". The main sealing liquid supply conduit I" is connected to the sealing liquid supply-conduit BI and a valve I43 is arranged to control communication therebetween.

The conduit I38 also is connected through a diflerential pressure operated valve 4 and a conduit Iw'to the upper portion of the sealing liquid reservoir H8. The valve I is adjusted so that the major portion of the sealing liquid drawn from the lower portion of the sealing liquid reservoir i It through the conduit I34 and discharged into the conduit I38 is conducted back into the reservoir Hi. This returned sealing. liquid is discharged into the upper portion of the reservoir H6 in the form of a spray or in a finely divided state. This spray-of the sealing liquid is produced by perforated nozzles 6 carried by a conduit Ill connected to the conduit I45. lhis arrangement promotes the liberation of entrained ventilating gas from the sealing liquidcontained in the reservoir Me.

The difierential pressure operated valve i ld regulates the pressure of the sealing liquid supplied to the liquid film seals and maintains the pressure of the sealing liquid somewhat in excess of the pressure of the ventilating gas contained in the enclosing casing ii of the dynamoelectric machlne. This valve control is provided by a differential pressure responsive arrangement including a bellows its arranged in a cylinder i ls. one side of the bellows M8 is subjected to the pressure of the sealing liquid supplied to the liquid film seals by a conduit lilo connected between the sealing liquid. supply conduit iii and one end of the cylinder and the other side oi the bellows is subjected to the pressure oi the ventilating gas contained in the enclosing casing ill or the dynamo-electric machine by a conduit lei connected between the interior of the enclosing casing l 2 at the sealing liquid sump and the other end of the cylinder. Valves E52 and are ar= ranged in the conduits led and till for controlling the connections between these conduits and the cylinder Halli.

This arrangement increases the pressure or the sealing lubricant supplied to the liquid film seals upon an increase in thevpressure of the ventilat= lug gas contained in the enclosing casing ii of the dynamo-electric machine icy diverting a smaller amount of the sealing liquid from the conduit ass into the conduit i 35. Fmthermcre, this arrangement decreases the pressure of the sealing liquid, supplied to the liquid film seals upon a decrease in the pressure of the ventilating gas contained in the enclosing casing 12 or the dynamo-electric machine by diverting a greater amount of the sealing liquid from the conduit its into the conduit l lo, as the rate oi. liquid fiov; from the constant displacement pump remains substantially constant. The valve ills thus maintains a substantially constant pressure difierential between the pressure of the sealing liquid and the pressure of the ventilating gas contained in the enclosing casing i2 of the dyname-electric machine.

A lay-pass conduit lid controlled by a pressure relief valve M5 is arranged between the conduit res and the conduit M5. The pressure relief valve E55 normally is closed and is arranged to divert sealing liquid around the differential pressure operated valve 1 when the pressure in the conduit E36 exceeds a predetermined value. This arrangement prevents the sealing liquid from being supplied to the liquid film seals under excessive pressure In the event 01 failure of the valve I44 andprotects the pump I35 against excessive pressure in case seal system valves are closed.

In order to scavenge the detrainingtank as,

that is, to discharge the gaseous mixture in the tank and replace it with fresh gas to increase the purity of the ventilating gas, a conduit I58 connects the upper portion of this tank to a solenoid operated scavenging valve iS'l. This valve is controllable manually by a switch having contacts I58 and IE9 arranged to connect a'solenoid I60 of the valve Ifi'l to a source of electrical power supply I6I. The valve 65'! is normally kept closed and is arranged to connect the conduit 656 with a conduit i6? which opens to the atmosphere when it is opened. A valve its is arranged in the conduit to. close of! the scavening valve 51 from the detraining tank 99. A valve i is connected to the conduit i565 to test the purity of the ventilating gas in the tank 99. If it is desired to increase the purity or the ventilating gas in the machine casing 62, the scavenging valve may be opened and the pressure oi the ventilating gas will thereby be decreased so that more gas will be supplied to the machine casing from the supply tank 2% through the conduit 23 and pressure regulating valve 22. The conduit i558 also connects through a valve ltd to a mercury relief valve lilo, so that ii the pressure within the tank rises above a predetermined value during low pressure operation, the ventilating gas will be discharged from the tank 99 through the valve N55 to the atmosphere through a conduit 6656.

An arrangement including a conduit till con flow of lubricant room the main lubricant supply conduit 52 into the main sealing liquid supply conduit i636. An adjustable pressure operated switch ill? is provided for controlling the solenoid operated valve tilt and includes a pair of stationary contacts ill and a movable bridging contactor M2 to control an electric energizing circuit for connecting an operating solenoid H8 of the valve to the source of electrical power supply till. The pressure operated switch ill? is controlled by an expansible bellows il l con-- nected by a conduit Elli to the main sealing liquid supply conduit ltd, and normally is held closed by a biasing spring lid and the pressure of the sealing liquid in the bellows ill Under'these conditions, the solenoid ill} is energized through contacts ill oi a solenoid operated switch llli, which is connected to the source of electrical power supply till through the switch ill), and maintains closed the valve ltd. In the event of failure of pressure of the sealing liquid in the main sealing liquid supply conduit Mil the expanslble bellows lid is contracted, causing the bridging contactor H2 oi the pressure operated switch ild to move away from the stationary contacts ill and open the energizing circuit of the solenoid switch Elli, and, therefore, to deenergize the solenoid H3 and the valve I68 opens conduit to allow lubricant under pressure from the main lubricant supply conduit 92 to flow through the conduit it? into the main sealing liquidsupply is and into the liquid film seals. Adjustment of the tension of the biasing spring Ht provides for the proper operation under high and low pressure conditions.

The differential pressure operated valve lbil operates in a manner similar to that oi the differential pressure operated valve Md and maintains the pressure oi the lubricant supplied trom the main lubricant supply conduit 92 through the conduit it? to the liquid film seals at a pres= sure somewhat in excess of the pressure or the ventilating gas in the enclosing casing it of the dynamo-electric machine. The valve ltd is controlled by an arrangement including a bellows ill) arranged in a cylinder its. One side of the bellows lie is subjected to the pressure or the lubricant, supplied to the liquid film seals by a conduit ltl connected between the conduit St and one end of the cylinder 98b, and the opposite side of the bellows ills is subjected to the pressure of the ventilating gas contained in the enclosing casing 52 of the dynamo-electric machine by a conduit I32 connected between the conduit i5: and the opposite end of the cylinder iilil. Valves i83.and ltd are arranged in the conduits idi and 882, respectively, to control the connections between the cylinder tilt and the conduits ltd and ass. This arrangement including the difierential pressure operated valve use throttles the flow of lubricant from the main lubricant supply conduit 92 through the conduit it? to the liquid film seals and maintains a sub stantialiy constant pressure difierential between the pressure of the lubricant supplied to the liquid film seals and the pressure of the ventilating gas contained in the enclosing casing l2 of the dynamo-electric machine. The arrange: ment of the conduits iSl and lbfi is such that they are continually flooded and full of liquid, and since each connects from substantially the same level on the machine to the cylinders Ids and E80, a balance of the hydrostatic head on the two sides of the pressure regulating valve cylinder is inherently maintained. This also acts to assist in preventing hunting and providing for smooth and stable operation of the valves i613 and use.

A solenoid operatedvalve I is arranged in the conduit lid connected between the upper portion of the sealing liquid reservoir lid and the vacuum pump lZd in order to prevent the vacuum pump from maintaining a low pressure in the reservoir i it in the event of failure of the sealing liquid supply, as liquid level in the reservoir Ht rises rapidly when the sealing liquid therein is not supplied through the main sealing liquid supply conduit l lll to the liquid film seals. During normal operation of the dynamo electric machine the valve I85 is maintained in open position by a solenoid I865 connected in parallel circuit relationship with the solenoid H8 and controlled by the pressure operated switch lld. Inthe event of failure of the sealing liquid supply or the lessor electric power, the electric circuit through the solenoid 88B is opened by the pressure operated switch I79, and the valve I35 is closed. This arrangement prevents the sealing liquid in the reservoir H6 from becoming frothy and being drawn through the conduit H9 into assae'rs duit'sa may also be conducted to the main seallug liquid supply conduit see by an arrangement including a conduit is? connected between the conduit ldl, the section of the conduit ldlin which the solenoid operated valve ltd and the differential pressure operated valve lsd are arranged may be isolated from the main lubricant supply conduit 92 and the main sealing liquid supply conduit Mil by a pair of valves its and is. A check valve Qi is arranged in the main sealing liquid supply conduit ltd in order to prevent lubricant flowing into the main sealing liquid supply conduit iic from the main lubricant supply conduit $2 from flowing into the cooler-wt.

During operation of the dynamo-electric machine lubricant is supplied under pressure to the bearing race of the bearing element carried by the bearing housing it on the left hand side of the dynamo-electric machine, as shown in Fig. 1 from the main lubricant supply conduit i322 through a branch lubricant supply conduit 89 and excess lubricant is drained from the lubricant sump on this side of the dynamo-electric machine into the main lubricant drain conduit 86. In a similar manner, sealing liquid is supplied under pressure to the liquid film seal on the left hand. side of the dynamo-electric machine from the main sealing liquid supply conduit Mb through a branch sealing liquid supply conduit 5! and excess sealing liquid is drained from the sealing liquid sump on this side of the dynamo-electric machine into the main sealing liquid drain conduit 96.

- When the dynamo-electric machine is standing idle, sealing liquid must be supplied from the main sealing liquid supply conduit Mil through the sealing liquid supply conduits 5i to the liquid film seals in order to prevent the escape of ventilating gas from the enclosing casing 82, although it is not necessary to supply lubricant from the main lubricant supply conduit 92 through the lubricant supply conduits 8% to the bearings of the dynastic-electric machine. Thus, when the dynamo-electric machine is standing idle, the lubricant supply pump 88 may be stopped, but the sealing liquid supply pump I35 and the vacuum pump I29 must be run continuously.

While we have shown a particular embodiment of our invention in connection with a dynamoelectrlc machine, we do not desire our invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described, and we intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A machine provided with a gas filled enclosing casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said onaasaavc under preimure to said seal, means including a drain associated with said sealfor removing excess sealing liquid therefrom, means including a tank connected to said drain for liberating the gas entrained in the sealing liquid removed from said seal, said drain being employed to return liberated gas from said tank to said enclosing casing. and means responsive to failure of said sealing liquid supply means for stupplyingilubricant to said seal.

2. A machine provided with a gas filled casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, a bearing for said shaft, means for supplying lubricant under 7 pressure to said bearing, means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said enclosing casing-means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, and means responsive to failure of said sealing liquid supply means for supplying lubricant from said lubricant supply means to said seal.

3. A machine provided with a gas filled enclosing casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, a bearing for'said shaft, means for supplying lubricant under pressure to saidbearing, means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said enclosing casing, means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, and means responsive to a predetermined decrease in pressure of the sealing liquid supplied to saidseal for supplying lubricant from said lubricant supply means to said seal.

4. A machine provided with a gas filled en-- closing casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, a bearing for said shaft, means including a sealing member arranged to carry a portion of the bearing load and rigidly connected to said bearing for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said enclosing cas- 1' ing, means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, means including'a drain associated with said seal for removing excess sealing liquid therefrom, a sealing liquid reser-- voir, means for connecting said drain to said sealing liquid reservoir, and means for connecting said sealing liquid reservoir to said sealing liquid supply means.

5. A machine provided with a gas filled enclosing casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing"- casing. a hearing for said shaft, means for supplying lubricant under pressure to said bearing, means including a sealing member rigidly connected to said bearing for providing a seal about 'said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said enclosing casing, means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, means including a spherical bearing surface for supporting said bearing and said sealing member, and means for supplying sealing liquid from said shaft seal to said spherical bearing surface to provide a liquid seal therein.

6. A machine provided with a gas filled enclosing casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, a hearing for said shaft, means for supplying lubricant under pressure to said bearing, means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from saidehclosing casing, means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, a connection between said ated valve for controllinglsaid connection, and.

means including a switch controlled in accordance with the pressure of the sealing liquid supply for controlling said solenoid operated valve.

7. A machine provided with a gas filled casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, a bearing for said shaft, means .Zor supplying lubricant under pressure to said bearing. means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said enclosing casing, means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, means for regulating the pressure of the sealing liquid supplied to said seal, means responsive to a predetermined decrease in pressure of the sealing liquid supplied to said seal from said lubricant supply means to said seal, and means for regulating the pressure of the lubricant supplied to said'seal.

8. A machine provided with a gas filledenclosing casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said enclosing casing, means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said -"seal, means including a drain associated with said seal for removing excess sealing liquid therefrom, means including a tank connected to said drain for liberating gas entrained in the sealing liquid removed from said seal, means for returning liberated gas from said tank to said enclosing casing, a sealing liquid reservoir, means arranged to connect said tank to said sealing liquid reservoir for maintaining a substantially constant level of sealing liquid in said tank, and means for connecting said sealing liquid reservoir to said sealing liquid supply means.

9. A machine provided with a gas filled enclosing casingand a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, means connecting said sealing liquid reservoir to said sealing liquid supply means, and means for producing a reduced pressure in said sealing liquid reservoir to liberate entrained gas from the sealing liquid therein. Y

'10. A machine provided with a gas filled enclosing casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing easing, a

bearing for said shaft, means for supplying lubricant under pressure to said bearing, means including a drain associated with said bearing for removing excess lubricant therefrom, a lubricant reservoir connected to said drain, means for connecting said; lubricant reservoir to said lubricant supply means, means rigidly connected to said bearing and including a chamber surrounding said shaft for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said enclosing casing, means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, mean for refor supplying lubricant closing casing and a rotatable member havin a shaft extending through said enclosingcasing, a bearing for said shaft means for supplying lubricant under pressure to said bearing, means includinga drain associated with said bwring for removing excess lubricant therefrom, means including a lubricant reservoir connected to said drain for collecting lubricant and providing for settling of the collected lubricant and liberation of entrained air, means for connecting said lubricant reservoir-to said lubricant supply means, means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said enclosing casing, means for supplying sealing liq- 12. A machine provided with an enclosing ms L ing and a rotatable member having a. shaft extending through said enclosing casing, means for supplying gas under pressure to said enclosing casing, means for regulating the pressure of the r 40 gas supplied to said enclosing casing, a bearing for said shaft, means for' supplying lubricant under pressure to said bearing, means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from saldenclosing oas- 5 ing, means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, means for maintaining the pressure of the sealing liquid supplied to said seal a predetermined amount greater than the pressure of the gas supplied to said enclosing casing, means responsive to a predetermined decrease in pressure of the sealing liquid supplied to said seal for supplying lubricant from said lubricant supply means to said seal, and means for maintaining the pressure of the lubricant sup-v plied to said seal a predetermined amount greater than the pressure of the gas supplied to said enclosing casing. 13. A machineyprovided with a gas filled enclosing casing, a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, means including a bearing for supporting said shaft, means including a lubricant reservoir for supplying lubricant to said bearing, means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said enclosing casing, means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, means including a drain associated with said seal for removing excess sealing liquid therefrom, a detra'ining tank, means including a tray supported in said tank above the normal liquid level therein and arranged to allow the slow passage of liquid from the upper side thereof into said tank for liberating gas entrained in the liquid removed from said seal, means for connecting said drain to supply sealing liquid to the sesame upperside of said tray, a sealing liquid reservoir.

. means for supplying sealing liquid from said tank conduct sealing liquid from said tank to said lubricant reservoir on the rise of sealing liquid in mid tank above a predetermined level.

14. A machine provided with a gas filled en- .closing casing and a rotatabl member having a 1 shaft extending through said enclosing casing a bearing for said shaft, means for supplying lubricant under pressure to said bearing, means in eluding a drain associated with said bearing for removing excess lubricant therefrom, a lubricant 15 reservoir connected to said drain, means for connectlng said lubricant reservoir to said lubricant supply means, means for providing a seal about said shaft and forpreventing the escape of gas from said enclosing casing, means for supplying sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, means including adrain for removing excess sea-ling liquid from said seal, means including atank connected to said second mentioned drain for liberating gas entrained in the sealing liquid re- 2 moved f-rom'said seal, means for returning liberated gas from said tank to said enclosing casing, means arranged to connect said tank to said lubricant reservoir for removing excess sealing liquidfrom said tank, a sealing liquid reservoir 30 connected to said tank, and means for connecting said sealing liquid reservoir to said sealing liquid supply means. 15. A machine provided with a gas filled enclosing casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, a bearing for said shaft, means for supplying lubricant under pressure to said bearing, means including admin-associated with said bearing for removing excess lubricant therefrom, a lubrio cant reservoir-connected to said drain, means for connecting said lubricant reservoir to said lubricant supply means,- means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said nclosing casing, means 45 for supplying sealing liquidunder pressure to said seal, means including a drain associated with said seal forremoving excess sealing liquid therefrom, a sealing liquid reservoir, means for connecting said second mentioned drain to said seal- 5 ing liquid reservoir, means for connecting said sealing liquid reservoir to said sealing liquid supply means, means arranged to supply lubricant from said lubricant reservoir to said sealing liquid reservoir in a finely divided state for maintain- 55 ing a substantially constant level of sealingliquid in'said sealing liquid reservoir, and means for producing a reduced pressure in said sealing liquid reservoir to liberate entrained gas from the lubricant supplied from said lubricant reservoir. :0

16. A machine provided with an enclosing casing and a rotatable member having a shaft extending through said enclosing casing, means for supplying gas under pressure to said enclosing casing, means for regulating the pressure of the 65 gas supplied to said enclosing casing, a bearing for said shaft, means for supplying lubricant under pressure to said bearing, means for providing a seal about said shaft and for preventing the escape of gas from said enclosing casing, 70 means for supplying-sealing liquid under pressure to said seal, means for maintaining the pressure of the sealing liquid supplied to said seal a predetermined amount greater than the pressure of the gas supplied to said enclosing cas- 75 ing, means responsive rbo a predetermined decrease in pressure 01' the sealing liquid supplied to said seal for supplyin lubricant from said lubricant supply means to said sea-I. means for maintaining the pressure of .th lubricant supplied to said seal a predetermined amounrt greater than the pressure of the gas supplied bo said enclosing casing, and means utilizing a balanced static pressure of lubricant and sealing liquid for providing smooth and stable operation or said pressure maintaining means.

CHESTER W. RICE. DE WIT'I S. SNELL.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,256,271. March 25, 19in.v

' CHESTER w. RICE, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the 'printed .sg aecification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 20, for scavening"- read --scavengingpage 8, first column, line 51+; claim 11, after the syllable "voir" and before the period insert .--when the amount of sealing liquid therein falls below a predate rmined level; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of May, A D. 1911.1.

. Henry, Van Arsdale, (S Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,256,2714. I I March 25, 19 41.

' CHESTER w. RICE, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the 'printed .snecification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, second column, line 20, for "scaven ing' read --scavengingpage 8, first column, line 514.; claim ll, after the syllable "voir" and before the period insert .--when the amount of sealing liquid therein falls below a predetermined level--'; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may confom to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of May, A D. 19in.

. Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

